From Curious Hands to Big Ideas

Welcome to Emerging Toddlers

As infants grow into curious, mobile early toddlers, their world opens up — and at London Brook Academy, we embrace every tentative step, excited squeal, and brave new discovery with patience, joy, and deep respect for their pace of development.

Our Emerging Toddlers classroom is a nurturing bridge between babyhood and big-kid confidence. Here, children explore safely, practice independence, share their growing voices, and learn through gentle guidance, warm connection, and delightful discovery.

We honor this remarkable stage with responsive care, predictable routines, and open-ended experiences designed to build secure relationships, emotional awareness, and confident exploration.

Building Bonds & Big Feelings

At this age, emotions are big and language is just beginning to bloom. Our teachers:

  • Model gentle communication and emotional labeling

  • Support early social skills like sharing, turn-taking, and kind touch

  • Comfort, guide, and celebrate each little learner through big feelings

  • Maintain consistent routines that build trust and security

We believe emotional safety fuels curiosity — so we stay close, responsive, and encouraging, offering patient co-regulation and lots of joyful connection.

Routines That Support Growth

Our day blends consistency with child-led exploration:

  • Diapers every two hours or as needed

  • Individualized rest based on developmental needs

  • Transitioning toward family-style meal routines and self-feeding

  • Practice washing hands, gentle cleanup, and early independence skills

Toddlers thrive when they feel capable, so we offer supported autonomy — never rushed, always encouraged.

Play-Based Learning & Sensory Exploration

Toddlers learn with their whole bodies — so our environment invites safe, meaningful exploration through:

  • Gross-motor play: climbing structures, tunnels, balance paths, balls, dancing

  • Fine-motor experiences: stacking, scooping, sorting, posting toys, simple puzzles

  • Nature-based play: natural baskets, pine cones, leaves, sensory walks

  • Music & movement: shakers, scarves, rhythm games, singing, toddler yoga

  • Language-rich engagement: story time, fingerplays, labeled feelings, simple sign language

Beautiful messes are expected — and celebrated.

Sensory & Creative Experiences

We provide daily sensory invitations that help toddlers explore textures, movement, sound, and cause-and-effect:

  • Water and bubble play

  • Taste-safe doughs and sensory bins

  • Textured art tools for safe mark-making

  • Mess-free paint bags and gentle stamping

  • Nature-inspired art and seasonal sensory trays

Art at this age is about process, discovery, and joyful mess — not perfect projects.

Outdoor Adventures

Weather permitting, our toddlers enjoy daily outdoor time, where they:

  • Climb, slide, dig, and run

  • Explore nature and changing seasons

  • Practice balance and coordination

  • Build confidence in movement and play

Fresh air, sunshine, and nature experiences are essential to healthy development — and we treat them that way.

At London Brook, we believe every wobble is a milestone, every curiosity a spark, and every new word or gesture a celebration. This is an age of wonder — and we nurture it with patience, love, and joyful guidance. In our Emerging Toddler room, children feel safe to try, to laugh, to climb, to explore, to need comfort — and to boldly begin discovering who they are becoming.

Step by Step - A Day in Emerging Toddlers

In our Emerging Toddlers classroom, we take each day, one step at a time — grounded in social emotional development, guided by curiosity, and filled with joyful learning. Our rhythm offers the security of routine while honoring each child’s unique needs and natural pace.

7:00 – 8:30 AM | Arrival & Gentle Beginnings

  • Warm welcomes, snuggles, and soft hellos to ease transitions from home

  • Parent check-ins about sleep, meals, and morning routines

  • Free exploration with soft music, books, and discovery baskets

  • Teachers help emerging toddlers settle in through connection, comfort, and play

8:30 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Care Routines

  • Family-style breakfast with encouragement for self-feeding and participation

  • Teachers model language, manners, and social skills during mealtime

  • Diapering and toileting routines (every two hours or as needed)

  • Handwashing and early independence practice

9:00 – 9:45 AM | Morning Exploration & Sensory Play

  • Invitations to explore through open-ended play:

    • Texture bins, soft dough, scoops, stacking, and sorting

    • Music and movement with scarves, rhythm sticks, and shakers

    • Nature baskets and cause-and-effect materials

  • Teachers engage in language-rich play, labeling actions and emotions

9:45 – 10:15 AM | Outdoor Adventures (Weather Permitting)

  • Climbing, sliding, running, and balancing on toddler-safe equipment

  • Nature exploration: trees, flowers, wildlife, weather cycles

  • Outdoor sensory play: bubbles, chalk, water

  • Teachers model safe risk-taking and joyful exploration

10:15 – 11:15 AM | Circle, Stories & Creative Expression

  • Short, interactive group time with songs, fingerplays, and puppets

  • Simple art and sensory activities: paint, stamps, or nature art

  • Fine-motor play: puzzles, posting toys, stacking cups

  • Opportunities for early choice-making

11:15 – 11:30 AM | Diapering & Transition to Lunch

  • Soft music, calm voices, and connection during care routines

  • Wash hands and prepare for lunch together

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Lunch

  • Family-style lunch where toddlers eat alongside teachers

  • Encouragement of self-help skills: using spoons, cups, napkins

  • Gentle conversation and labeling of foods, colors, and textures

12:00 – 3:00 PM | Rest & Quiet Time

  • Peaceful nap environment with soft music and individualized soothing

  • Teachers stay close for comfort and regulation

  • Early risers enjoy books, puzzles, or soft play in a cozy area

3:00 – 3:30 PM | Wake-Up, Snack & Care Routines

  • Gentle wake-up routines with cuddles and connection

  • Afternoon snack served at tables, encouraging social interaction

  • Diapering and toileting routines

3:30 – 4:30 PM | Gross Motor & Discovery Play

  • Indoor or outdoor gross-motor play: climbing, tunnels, push toys, dancing

  • Group movement games: “Follow the Leader,” “Shake, Shake, Shake,” or simple yoga

  • Opportunities to explore balance and coordination through safe challenges

4:30 – 5:15 PM | Language, Music & Social Play

  • Group storytime, puppet shows, and sing-alongs

  • Early language games and simple sign language practice

  • Guided peer play: practicing turn-taking, sharing, and gentle touch

5:15 – 6:00 PM | Evening Care & Transition Home

  • Diapering and final feedings as needed

  • Choice play, lullabies, and cuddles as families arrive

  • Teachers share daily notes, meals, nap updates, and joyful moments with parents

Guiding Principles in Practice

  • Emotional Safety First: Gentle co-regulation, predictable care, and consistent teachers.

  • Learning Through Play: Every experience supports motor, language, and social growth.

  • Supported Independence: Encouraging small acts of capability — handwashing, clean-up, feeding.

  • Joyful Discovery: Sensory, creative, and nature-based play invite wonder every day.

Daily Anchors

  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and snack served daily; bottles as needed

  • Diapering: Every 2 hours or as needed

  • Sleep: Midday nap; individualized rest adjustments supported

  • Outdoor time: At least twice daily, weather permitting